CAUSES OF REJECTIONS OF BOXED APPLES 15 



cation of sizes, etc., were frequent reasons for rejections, especially 

 in the two later years. 



For the three-year period as a whole the correlation between price 

 changes and number of rejections was not pronounced. Prices in 

 general did not fluctuate sharply, but the changes were of a gradual 

 nature. In 1922-23 the number of rejections relative to shipments 

 tended to increase during periods of declining and low prices, but in 

 the other years the number of rejections per week was in fairly close 

 proportion to the number of cars shipped. Each year there was some 

 tendency for the number of rejections relative to shipments to increase 

 as the season progressed. The deterioration in condition of the fruit 

 was probably the main reason for this tendency. 



As a means of improving conditions relating to apple rejections and 

 reducing the amount of price reductions due to rejections, it is sug- 

 gested that buyers and sellers make it a practice to secure written 

 confirmation of sales on a standard form on transactions handled 

 through a broker or agent; that complete specifications including a 

 stateilient on sizes, condition of fruit, etc., be written into the sale 

 contract; that in case of sales negotiated direct between buyer and 

 seller all information essential to a valid contract be included in the 

 letters or telegrams. The use of the Government shipping-point 

 inspection service supplies a definite description of the shipment at 

 point of origin and helps to prevent misunderstanding between buyer 

 and seller. Improvements in methods of handling and storing apples 

 which result in better condition are no doubt assisting in decreasing 

 the number of rejections. 



